Brava Island

Located at the southern end of the archipelago of Cape Verde, baptized of John, at the time of its discovery almost entirely mountainous, with only 65 km2 is the smallest of the inhabited islands, shows well-preserved traces of its volcanic origin.

Its terrain is very rugged being as a whole the most mountainous of the archipelago. The highest point is the "Monte Fontaínhas" with the 976 meters. The coast is very jagged making way to several small bays. With almost permanent fog the weather is usually very wet and cool with temperatures ranging between 16 º C and 25 º C. Discovered in 1642, its settlement, took place much later.

In 1680, because of an eruption on the island of Fogo, its inhabitants moved to Brava island, which is located only 17 km from the island of Fogo. In the mid eighteenth century American whalers of New Bedford and Rhode Island began using the island as a refueling point and started recruitment of seamen, famous for their excellence.

Those seaman are the source of large Cape Verdean community settled in the United States, which greatly contributes to the welfare of those left on the island of their origin.Vila Nova Sintra, "the most beautiful city" from Cape Verde, with its small and well maintained colonial urban core, is the capital of this island flowerd.

Here we arrive after, scrolling through breathtaking roads wrapped in a fog. Green, clean and well organized, its name comes from its characteristics reminiscent of the Portuguese town of the same name.

Located 500 meters above sea level, it offers some beautiful panoramic views, is composed of secular mansions and villas with flowering gardens, surrounding vegetation and very high in humidity. In the town center stands, the well kept garden, baptized for Eugenio Tavares, the great poet, born here in 1867, who wrote poetry in Portuguese and Creole, and was eminent composer of some eternal "mornas", the traditional music from Cape Verde.

Brava economy is based mainly on agriculture and fishing. Despite the lack of rain, the crops grown in irrigated ingenious "terraces" from the springs water, or, cisterns, supplying rainwater for the entire year. Across the island, and particularly in isolated and relaxing places, as in the case of the localities of Nossa Senhora do Monte and Faja d'Agua, the hospitality of the people of this island is remarkable.

In the town of Cachaço, another location where climate harshness just left as an alternative for survival the goat rearing, wich led to the production of an excellent cheese. The island also provides excellent conditions for those engaged in deep sea fishing.

Its geographic divisions and strong winds that blow here, prevent its access by air, so this island continues to be served exclusively by sea.

The local culinary specialty is the "Molho Capado" a local type of sauce.